This Day in History: 1942-01-01
James Devine retired from public office after 53 years in public service. He had held every elective office in the Township except Town clerk. When asked what he was most proud of he said that the Township has no public debt, and that it had never been necessary to make a campaign speech to get elected. He was born in Suffern in 1867 and followed is father’s trade as blacksmith while holding various offices. He was a County Freeholder for 15 years and served two terms in the State Assembly. He gave up his blacksmith shop when he became Custodian of the County courthouse in Hackensack, a post which he gave up two years previously after 22 years. Devine Drive, a street opposite the Commodore Perry playing field is named for him.
(Bristow)